Archive for Leadership Encouragement – Page 5

Beyond Ouija Board Leadership via Relationship (part 5 of 5)

by Jon Mullican This is the final post comparing leadership functioning in some churches with the game of Ouija:  questions are posed and decisions made based on hidden forces within and between the members that are not, or will not, be revealed.  Rather than allow mystery to remain the theme of leader interaction, it is […]

Beyond Ouija Board Leadership (part 2 of 5)

by Jon Mullican Last Wednesday’s post compared leadership functioning in some churches with the game of Ouija: questions are posed and decisions made based on hidden forces within and between the members that are not, or will not, be revealed. Rather than allow mystery to remain the theme of leader interaction, it is possible to […]

Ouija Board Leadership (part 1 of 5)

by Jon Mullican When I was about 10 years old, growing up in central Oklahoma, several of my brother’s friends brought a game to our house: the Ouija Board. One friend explained to my brother and me how the game worked: pose a question to the board; all place a hand on the planchette (we […]

A Preacher’s Confession

by Grady & Karen King If We Could Have a Do-Over with our Children If you could have a do-over in raising our children what would you do differently? I posed this question to my wife recently while thinking about faith development, ministry and several younger ministers I know. Being raised as a “PK” (preachers […]

Ten Realities of Ministry with a Church

    by Jim Martin 1.  Over-functioning is very tiring and usually results in other people under-functioning. 2.  I have often worried too much about others and some imaginary future crisis.  Each day has enough challenges. 3.  Sometimes I have felt too responsible for another’s life instead of focusing on the responsibilities that I really do […]

Reframing “Opportunity” in the Interim Season (part 4 – conclusion)

by Tim Woodroof A Question of Leadership Of course, opportunities are not the same as realities. Though every transitioning church could experience these blessings, not all of them actually will. The difference boils down to leadership. Wise leaders look for and grasp the opportunities that present themselves during the interim season. Foolish leaders ignore or […]

Reframing “Opportunity” in the Interim Season (part 3)

by Tim Woodroof The Opportunity- continued from part 2 As uncomfortable as a ministerial transition can be for a church, the opportunities that open up are exciting. Stable churches are comfortable churches. They don’t reinvent themselves. They don’t “rock the boat.” They don’t ask unnecessary questions. The status quo is protected, even venerated. But churches […]

Reframing “Opportunity” in the Interim Season (part 2)

by Tim Woodroof The Opportunity As uncomfortable as a ministerial transition can be for a church, the opportunities that open up are exciting. Stable churches are comfortable churches. They don’t reinvent themselves. They don’t “rock the boat.” They don’t ask unnecessary questions. The status quo is protected, even venerated. But churches in transition don’t have […]

Soul Care for Church Leaders (Part 3 of 3)

From Isolation to Community by Bob Clark “It’s the other people in our lives who offer the best opportunities to overcome instinctive, deep-rooted sin.” — Frederica Mathewes-Green Moving from isolation to community is the second part of a life-giving holy rhythm that can feed a church leader’s soul. By community I mean church leaders opening […]

Soul Care for Church Leaders (Part 2 of 3)

From Busyness to Solitude By Bob Clark “The best thing a person can bring to leadership is his or her own transforming self.” — Ruth Haley Barton Moving from busyness to solitude is the first part of a life-giving holy rhythm that can feed a church leader’s soul. By solitude I mean withdrawing from the […]

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